About This Performance

Although his life was difficult, to say the least, ending prematurely in madness, Robert Schumann nonetheless composed music that elevates us through its pure spirit and unique personal character. Over three weekends, Gustavo Dudamel delves deeply into Schumann’s four symphonies, two greatest concertos, and a rarely heard oratorio, offering us a portrait of the man through his finest creations.

The oratorio Das Paradies und die Peri (Paradise and the Peri) is seen as one of Schumann’s major achievements; even Wagner had positive words for it. The story, which originated with 19th-century Irish poet/singer Thomas Moore, was translated by Schumann and a friend. It tells of a peri – a fairy-like spirit from Persian mythology, somewhere between an angel and a devil – who has been cast out of heaven. Its only way back is by finding the gift that God will like best, which – spoiler alert! – turns out to be a tear from a repentant old sinner who has observed a child praying.

For our production, incomparable operatic mastermind Peter Sellars teams with media artist Refik Anadol to create a never-before-seen staging, bringing the season to a moving conclusion.